WI BIO - Kenosha Co - RHODE, Peter, Sr. & Jr. & Joseph G.

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke 
Publishing, 1916, vol II, pp 423-424, 687-691

Biography of Peter RHODE, Sr. - pp 687-688 (father of Joseph G. & Peter, Jr.)

Peter RHODE, Sr., who died 04 December 1909, who resided in Kenosha [Kenosha 
County, Wisconsin] for more than a quarter of a century was one of the city's 
most prominent business men and representative citizens, was born, reared, 
educated, and married in Germany. About 1873 he crossed the Atlantic to the 
United States, settling first at Milwaukee [Milwaukee County], Wisconsin, and 
afterward removed to Oshkosh [Winnebago County, Wisconsin], where he remained 
until about 1875. He then took his family to Chicago [Cook County, 
Illinois], and became agent for the Potter Palmer [p 688] real estate 
holdings, continuing in that position of importance and responsibility for 
several years.

In 1883 Peter RHODE Sr. brought his family to Kenosha, settling on the north 
side of the city. He purchased the Lutheran church building and the public 
school building, removing them to the corner of Milwaukee Avenue [renamed 7th 
Avenue about 1926] and Oak street, where he converted them into stores. 
These buildings were destroyed by fire in 1886, after which he sold the lots 
to St. George's Catholic Church. About that time Mr. RHODE purchased the old 
City Hotel, which he conducted for a number of years, and in 1890 he 
purchased property at Nos. 164 and 168 Market Street [renamed 56th Street], 
and upon that lot erected the Rhode Opera House, one of the best in the 
State, opening its doors for business on 25 August 1890. This he 
successfully conducted until 1896, when he lost quite heavily through a 
disastrous fire. The opera house, however, was immediately rebuilt and has 
remained the foremost establishment of this character in Kenosha.

Peter RHODE Sr.'s son, Joseph G. RHODE, had become associated with him and 
they took over the business in 1898, purchasing the theater building in 1903. 
The father continued an active, prominent and influential factor in business 
circles of Kenosha until his death, 04 December 1909, which was an occasion 
of deep and widespread regret throughout the city.

Before leaving Germany Mr. Peter RHODE, Sr. was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary JUNKER, also a native of Germany, who died 17 May 1916. Peter and Mary 
(JUNKER) RHODE, Sr. were the parents of three children: (1) Joseph G. 
[whose biography follows]; (2) Anna, the wife of C. F. CUMMINGS, an hotel 
proprietor of Kenosha; and (3) Peter Jr., engaged in the advertising 
business [whose biography also follows]. For twenty-seven years Peter RHODE 
Sr. was a resident of the city of Kenosha, and throughout the entire period 
his business ability and enterprise kept him at the front.



Biography of Joseph G. RHODE - pp 688-691, portrait p 689 (son of Peter Sr., 
brother of Peter, Jr.)

Joseph G. RHODE, city of Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, proprietor and 
manager of Rhode Opera House, Kenosha, was born 22 September 1874 in 
Milwaukee. His parents, Peter and Mary (JUNKER) RHODE, came directly to 
Milwaukee from Germany about 1873, but during the infancy of their son, 
Joseph G., removed to Chicago, where they resided for some eight or nine 
years. In 1883 they settled with their family in Kenosha. Here Joseph G. 
RHODE acquired a public school education, and an exceptional business 
training under the direct guidance of his father. That the training was 
thorough and practical is indicated throughout the entire business career of 
Mr. Joseph G. RHODE.

His father [Peter RHODE] built the Rhode Opera House in 1890, and Joseph G. 
RHODE became assistant manager at the age of sixteen. In 1898 Joseph G. 
RHODE leased the theater, and in 1903 became its sole proprietor. He has 
shown marked ability as a business man and as a theatrical manager. 
Throughout the twenty-six years that Mr. [Joseph G.] RHODE has directed the 
affairs of the opera house, his policy has been to strive constantly for [p 
691] the very best in his line. As Secretary of the Middle West Theater 
Owners Association, he has exerted his influence for the uplifting of the 
stage of every house within the association. The Rhode Opera House, which 
has a seating capacity for 1,000 people, is one of the most attractive 
theaters between Chicago and Milwaukee. From its stage have been seen and 
heard many of the most representative players of the past two decades.

On 27 June 1900 Mr. [Joseph G.] RHODE was married to Miss Julia E. LIPPERT, 
of Kenosha, a daughter of John and Mary (LANGER) LIPPERT. They [Joseph G. 
and Julia E. (LIPPERT) RHODE] now have three children: (1) Bernice, born 12 
September 1901; (2) Richard, born 02 March 1904; and (3) Mary, born 16 
August 1909. They have a beautiful home on Sheridan Road in Kenosha.

Mr. RHODE is a charter member of Kenosha Lodge, No. 750, Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, a member of the "Strollers," Royal League, 
Equitable Fraternal Union, and the Kenosha Retailers Association. 
Politically he is nonpartisan. He served as Alderman from the Second Ward 
from 1911 to 1913. Mainly through his efforts the first trunk sewer for the 
city of Kenosha was installed. During his term in the city council he 
devoted his time and splendid business ability to the city, and made such a 
favorable impression he was urged by a host of friends to become candidate 
for mayor, an honor he declined, however, citing the great need of his 
services in his own business. In 1913 he accepted from Mayor Dan O. HEAD the 
office of Police Commissioner, and in this capacity is still [1916] serving 
the city with the same fidelity he exercises over his own interests.



Biography of Peter RHODE, Jr. - pp 423-424 (son of Peter Sr., brother of 
Joseph G.)

Peter RHODE, Jr., city of Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, one of the 
active and popular young business men of Kenosha, who from the age of sixteen 
years has been connected with bill posting and outdoor advertising, and has 
not only promoted individual success, but has also proven a most potent force 
in advancing public interests, was born 29 August 1879 in Chicago [Cook 
County], Illinois, and is a brother of Joseph RHODE. With the removal of the 
family to Kenosha he became a public school pupil here, and afterward became 
connected with the advertising business, to which he has since given his time 
and attention. He took up the work of outdoor advertising and has built up 
an extensive patronage. His study of the business has made him acquainted 
with the best methods of bringing any commercial or industrial interest 
before the public. His advertisements are attractive, winning instant 
attention, and in his work he displays a spirit of marked enterprise and 
initiative. Mr. RHODE is ever alert and there is no citizen of Kenosha who 
keeps more closely in touch with public interests, needs and demands. He 
sees the opportunity for municipal advancement and his public-spirited 
devotion to the general good prompts him to put forth effective effort along 
the lines of general development and progress.

It was Mr. [Peter] RHODE [Jr.] and Russell JONES who were instrumental in 
organizing the Kenosha Automobile Club, and on the night on which the project 
was first mentioned in a meeting called for the purpose, they secured fifty 
charter members. Mr. RHODE has remained very active in that organization, and 
for two years was Chairman of the road committee, during which period they 
raised the first to build Sheridan Road through Kenosha County. This was the 
first cement road constructed in the County, a result largely attributable to 
the efforts and enterprise of Peter RHODE and Russell JONES.

On 21 January 1900 Mr. Peter RHODE, Jr. married Miss Louise HILL, a daughter 
of Joseph HILL, who came from England and was [p 424] well known as an 
inventor of Kenosha, but is now deceased. Two children have been born [to 
Peter and Louise (HILL) RHODE, Jr.]: Ruby, and Irene. Fraternally Mr. RHODE 
is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Royal League, and 
Equitable Fraternal Union. In politics he is non-partisan. He possesses a 
most genial manner and social disposition, qualities which have rendered him 
popular. He is interested in municipal progress and improvement, and ever 
stands for those projects which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly